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LifeSafer vs Smart Start

Your state's approved list decides first: in most states you can only choose from the companies on it. Where both are approved, the device, the service centers near you and the fees are what differ.

LifeSaferLifeSafer L25034 of 44 state lists
Smart StartSSI-20/3040 of 44 state listsApp Store 2.0 from 113 ratings

Where each one is approved

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIndianaKansasMaineMassachusettsMinnesotaNew JerseyNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOklahomaPennsylvaniaSouth DakotaTexasWyomingConnecticutMissouriWest VirginiaIllinoisNew MexicoArkansasCaliforniaDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaHawaiiIowaKentuckyMarylandMichiganMississippiMontanaNew HampshireNew YorkOhioOregonTennesseeUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinNebraskaSouth CarolinaIdahoNevadaVermontLouisianaRhode Island
BothOnly LifeSaferOnly Smart StartNeitherNo list we could read
Both 33

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Only LifeSafer 1

Vermont

Only Smart Start 7

Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina

LifeSafer vs Smart Start: the devices

LifeSaferSmart Start
How you blowTake a deep inhale, then blow and hum a consistent tone. The hum is saying "DO".1Blow and hum for 3 to 4 seconds. Some states use blow-inhale-blow, and the pattern depends on your state.2
CameraOptional or state-dependent. Some states require a camera.3Optional, and whether it is required depends on your state.4
GPSAvailable on Class II and III configurations.5Optional.6
Real-time reportingAvailable on the RTD configuration. New York lists a separate cellular service fee on Class 2 and 3.5Optional.7
Warm-upUp to 3 minutes in extreme cold. You can pre-program warm-up periods.8Not published
Rolling retest window3 to 10 minutes, depending on your jurisdiction.95 minutes to respond once prompted, per a 2017 Kansas manual. Smart Start's current rules may differ.10
Operating temperature-40 °C to +85 °C, according to LifeSafer Europe's L250 page.11Not published
Size and weightAbout 12.52 cm high and 6.24 cm wide, and 4 oz. (114 g).12Smart Start says it is no bigger than the average smartphone.13
ScreenA simple screen. It looks monochrome in the product photo.14Not published
MotorcyclesAvailable in some states. LifeSafer says it is the only provider that installs on a motorcycle.15Smart Start says the device is compatible with most motorcycles.16
AppNo consumer app found on the LifeSafer site.The free Smart Start Client Portal app handles account management.17
SensorNot publishedAlcohol-specific fuel cell sensor.18
Electric and hybrid carsNot publishedSmart Start says the device is compatible with most electric vehicles.16

LifeSafer vs Smart Start fees

Both companies file a fee schedule with New York State, so these rows compare the same kind of number: the New York amounts. Prices in other states differ, but the list shows which fees each company charges. Check the filing dates: an older filing may not match today's prices.

FeeLifeSaferNY filing, Feb 2025Smart StartNY filing, Apr 2025
Monthly lease$86.88Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule19$112.95/moFiled in New York20
Installation$100-$250Class 1, filed in New York, depends on year, make and model21$150.00Filed in New York22
Calibration$20Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule23$25.00Filed in New York24
Removal$62.50Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule25$94.99Filed in New York26
Lockout or violation reset$56.25Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule27$80.00Filed in New York28
Missed appointment$30Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule29$55.00Filed in New York. Not charged with 24 hours notice.30
Closing or admin feeNot published$69.50Filed in New York31
Enrollment or set-upNot published$40.00Filed in New York32
Damage or loss$150Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule33Not published
Insurance or protection plan$11.40Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule34Not published

In Texas

LifeSaferSmart Start
Certified service centers138144
Advertisedunder $3/dayfrom $1.99/day*
Install$50–$150from $150

Texas DPS service center list; prices advertised Oct 23, 2026. Texas interlock guide

InterlockCompare is independent and isn't affiliated with either company. Not legal advice.

Sources

  1. deep inhale, blow and hum a consistent tonelifesafer.com/devices
  2. Blow into the device for three or four seconds while humming at the same timesmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices
  3. Some States require the addition of a cameralifesafer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/l250-clienthandbook.pdf
  4. Optional camera for positive identification Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  5. LifeSafer L250 (Camera, GPS, RTD)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Qualified Manufacturer Listing Devices-01202026.pdf
  6. Optional GPS tracking Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  7. Optional real-time reporting Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  8. device may take up to 3 minutes to warm uplifesafer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/l250-clienthandbook.pdf
  9. typically between 3 and 10 minutes, depending on your jurisdictionlifesafer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/l250-clienthandbook.pdf
  10. Once prompted for a retest, you have 5 minutes toksrevenue.gov/doviidmanuals/SmartStart.pdf
  11. Temperature: -40 °C to +85 °Clifesafer.eu/device
  12. Approximately 12.52cm H x 6.24cm Wlifesafer.eu/device
  13. no bigger than the average smartphonesmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/best-ignition-interlock
  14. deep inhale, blow and hum a consistent tone) and a simple screenlifesafer.com/devices
  15. Yes, in some states. In fact, we are the only interlock provider who can install on a motorcyclelifesafer.com/faqs
  16. compatible with most electric vehicles, motorcycles, and other vehicle typessmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/best-ignition-interlock
  17. downloading our free Smart Start Client Portal appsmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/cost
  18. Alcohol-specific fuel cell technology Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  19. Monthly Leasecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  20. Standard Protect Monthly Plan (Includes Roadside Protect and DPP)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  21. Installation Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  22. Install Vehicle Model >5 Years Old*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  23. Calibration Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  24. Calibration, Inspection, Monitoring Fee*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  25. De-installation Feescriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  26. Removal Fee*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  27. Lockout Override/Violation Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  28. Service Lockout Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  29. Missed Appointmentcriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  30. Missed Appointment Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  31. Administrative Closing Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  32. Enrollment Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  33. Partial/Other Damagecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
  34. Optional Insurancecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf